Cobar Peneplain - climate

The Cobar Peneplain is one of 6 bioregions that lie in Australia's hot, persistently dry semi-arid climatic zone. This climate is complemented by patches of sub-humid climate on the southeastern boundary of the bioregion and, in the south, these areas are characterised by virtually no dry season and a hot summer (Stern et al. 2000).

Throughout the year, average evaporation exceeds the average rainfall. Rainfall tends to be summer dominant in the north of the bioregion and winter dominant in the south (Creaser and Knight 1996, Smart et al. 2000a).

Temperatures are typically mild in winter and hot in summer and exceed 40°C for short periods during December to February (Creaser and Knight 1996). Frosts are frequent in the winter months (Smart et al. 2000a) and the lowest daily mean temperature in the bioregion is -6.1°C recorded in Lake Cargelligo in July and August. The hottest period in the bioregion occurs between November and March, with the hottest daily mean temperature in the bioregion being 47.8°C, recorded in Cobar in January.